Troutman signs with Emmanuel College

Alan Troutman signed his letter of intent Tuesday to play lacrosse with Emmanuel College. Joining him was his grandmother Jeanne Kink (left) and mother Christina Troutman (right). Back row, left to right: Emmanuel lacrosse coach Patrick Johnson, sister Rebecca Troutman and father Tim Troutman.

Alan Troutman didn’t just sign a letter of intent to become a lacrosse player. He signed on to become the foundation of a program.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Greenbrier High School senior inked the paperwork that will send him to Emmanuel College, just outside of Atlanta, to become the first-year program’s goalie.

It was a visit to the school among other things that helped him make up his mind.

“I looked over other offers and talked with family and decided that Emmanuel would be best for me,” Troutman said.

One of the things he was impressed with was Emmanuel’s head coach Patrick Johnson, who was in attendance.

“To sign him as our first goalie is a big honor for me,” Johnson said. “I wanted this dynamic young man to be the first goalie in school history. I’m glad he’s a part of our program.”

The first thing Troutman had to decide was which sport he wanted to pursue. He was a linemen for four years on the football team, was a team captain and earned 2011 All-Region and All-County honors. Getting away from the day-to-day pounding a lineman takes played into it.

“I realized I hadn’t played lacrosse near as much as I had football,” Troutman said.

“I felt I could do lacrosse a lot more. … I could work on my technique and skill.”

Greenbrier community coach Jeff Becker noted how the team has improved since Troutman was put in goal in 2010.

“He’s repeatedly saved our butts the last two seasons,” Becker said. “He’s a fantastic young man and he’s a leader on the field.”